While there are theological reasons for inductive Bible study, my biggest reasons for continuing with this method are my personal experience and, now, as an inductive Bible study leader, watching others grow in Christ through their time studying inductively.įirst, inductive Bible study requires me to spend extended time in a particular book of the Bible. Application comes after we have paid close attention to what God says in His word and discerned its meaning to the best of our ability. I like to think of it as a “listen first, listen long” approach, because our own response to the passage is the last and final step. As the last step, we consider the application we can make from what that part of the Bible says (the broad generalizations). Then, we consult other tools to develop our understanding. With inductive Bible study, we begin by making specific observations about a book or passage of the Bible (the specific examples). While this isn’t necessarily a wrong approach to studying the Bible, there is a chance that either our beginning principles will be incorrect, or that we will take a passage out of context in order to fit it into our principles. They can see a new cat in a new context and identify it as a cat.Ĭonversely, deductive reasoning starts with big ideas and principles and aims to fit examples into a broader framework. From these experiences, they can understand what a cat is generally. Instead, they see specific examples of cats in their home, in their neighborhood, and in picture books.

We don’t teach them that a creature with four legs and fur that says “meow” is a cat. We see our children learning inductively all the time. The inductive Bible study method begins with specific observations and moves toward making broader generalizations. The structure of inductive study helps me to slow down and deepen my understanding. It focuses carefully on one book of the Bible at a time, studying one chapter at a time. Where an annual Bible reading plan takes a big-picture-look at God’s word, inductive study is almost the opposite. For that I turn to inductive Bible study, a method I learned as a college student and still use now, over thirteen years later. While I certainly would encourage anyone to read through the Bible, I’ve found that I crave something to balance the ‘broad sweep’. It’s a bit like trying to eat Christmas dinner every day.

Each time, I have appreciated the broad sweep of the Bible, but struggled to give my attention fully to so much reading each day. This is the third time I have read the Bible completely. Read Colossians 1:9-12, and notice what ties the passage together.Not long ago, I finished a “Read the Bible in a Year” plan. Are you ready to learn to pray? Observation Prayīefore reading and seeking to understand this passage, ask God to illumine your mind and give you understanding and wisdom through it. It will challenge how you pray, and jumpstart your prayer life if you use it as a guide.

It prepared his heart, and gave his prayers substance.ĭo you struggle to pray? Colossians 1:9-12 gives us a glimpse of the prayer life of the apostle Paul. In that habit he found the key to unlocking the spirit of prayer. He would rise and begin praying as soon as possible, but his mind would often wander for 15-30 minutes before he could focus on prayer.Įventually, he began to read the Bible before he began praying. Instead, he daily asked his heavenly Father to supply the needs his family and ministry needed.īut even George Mueller struggled to pray sometimes. He supported thousands of orphans without ever asking anyone for supplies or even making the needs known. George Mueller is a man well known for his effective prayer life.

Inductive bible study on prayer